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AnnuAl RepoRt 2009
Fostering voices, choices and sustainable futures
As outgoing Country Director, I am very pleased to present our 2009 Annual Report, and to warmly welcome the new Country Director, Elena Tischenko, into her role. It has been an honour for me to serve the Country Office, and it is with great pride that I hand over to Ms Tischenko a programme that I believe to be focused and forward-looking.
This report outlines major achievements for 2009, but also examines some of the challenges we faced, such as the global economic crisis, whose impact was felt sharply in Cambodia last year.
In 2009, UNDP made substantial contributions to the country’s development in four key areas: supporting local governance reforms; facilitating policy dialogue on economic governance and gender mainstreaming; strengthening aid effectiveness mechanisms; and supporting the Royal Government of Cambodia in articulating its response to climate change. These results would not have been possible without our strategic partnerships with SIDA, DFID, the EU, AusAID, CIDA and many others.
In local governance, a total of $82 million was delivered by the Royal Government of Cambodia and donors though UNDP-supported government structures and systems to build infrastructure, improve health services and access to education, and raise awareness on the rights of women and children. Following the first-ever election of Provincial and District Councils in May, newly-elected district councillors, as well as provincial and district level staff, received training to help them carry out their new functions. Provincial and district forums organized by the National League of Commune/Sangkat allowed the Commune Councils to strengthen their relationships with line ministries and parliamentarians.
Partnering with the Supreme National Economic Council, UNDP helped to shape national policy on economic competitiveness and the impact of the economic downturn. Linking with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, we helped to mainstream gender into national and sectoral policies. As a result, a gender dimension has been integrated into the updated National Strategic Development Plan and the 10-year National Programme on Sub-national Democratic Development. A five-year gender equity strategy has also been produced by MoWA.
To improve aid effectiveness and promote a sense of national ownership, UNDP supported the Government in taking a programme based approach to gender mainstreaming, drafting partnership principles for climate change and trade, and developing a mine action strategy that will serve for all stakeholders. As well, the Official Development Assistance database, which tracks aid contributed to Cambodia, was expanded to include NGOs.
Recognizing climate change as an emerging area of focus, UNDP provided support to the Government to develop strategic, policy and aid effectiveness initiatives in this area. The Climate Change Department at the Ministry of Environment was able to complete baseline analytical work essential for the preparation of a national climate change strategy in 2010. At the policy level, climate change was systematically integrated into the revised National Strategic Development Plan. Notably, Cambodia held its First National Forum on Climate Change, which was opened by Prime Minister Hun Sen in October and attended by more than 350 policymakers, officials, foreign experts, development partners, members of civil society and students.
We have also contributed in many other areas of democratic governance, poverty reduction and environment and energy. These contributions are outlined in more detail in the following pages.
Finally, I would like to say thank you to the Royal Government of Cambodia, development partners, NGOs and all Cambodians for making my experience so enriching and rewarding.
Jo Scheuer
Country Director
Foreword
Cover photo: UNDP/Raseng Da
A Community Conversation addressing gender issues, including domestic violence, is conducted by three village facilitators in Poutrom Village in Senmonorom Town, Mondulkiri Province.
1
Contents2009 Overview 2
How We Work 3
Democratic Governance 5
Poverty Reduction 13
Environment and Energy 21
Working Together 28
Donors 29
Delivery – Expenditure by Thematic Areas 29
Abbreviations 29
Cambodia at a Glance
* est = estimate
1 General Population Census of Cambodia 2008, National Institute of Statistics, Ministry of Planning: http://www.nis.gov.kh/ 2 Ministry of Economics and Finance: www.mef.gov.kh/macroeconomic.php 3 Speech by H.E. Prime Minister Hun Sen, 17 March 2010: www.cnv.org/kh/ 4 Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2007: www.nis.gov.kh/index.php/statistics/surveys/cses 5 UNICEF: www.unicef.org/infobycountry/cambodia_statistics.html 6 Cambodia Anthropometrics Survey 2008, page 25 7 National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STI Control, Ministry of Health (2007): Report of a Consensus Workshop: HIV Estimates and Projections for Cambodia 2006-2012 data.unaids.org/pub/Report/2008/cambodia_hiv_estimation_report_2006_en.pdf 8 Cambodian Mine/UXO Victim Information System Monthly Report February 2010 www.cmaa.gov.kh/ 9 Cambodia Aid Effectiveness Report 2010, page i
Cambodia Millennium Development Goals
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal nine-year basic education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
9. De-mining, UXO and victim assistance
Population 2008 13.4 million 1
Annual population growth rate 1998-2008 1.54% 1
Gross Domestic Product (est) 2009 uS$10.94 billion 2
GDP annual growth (est) 2009 0.1% 3
GDP per capita (est) 2009 uS$769 2
Poverty (% of population below national poverty line) 2007 30.1% 4
Life expectancy at birth (men/women, est) 2008 60.5/64.3 1
Adult literacy rate (literacy among people aged 15 years and older, men/women) 2008
85.1%/70.9% 1
Child mortality rate, under 5 years old (per 1,000 live births, est) 2008
90 5
Children classified as malnourished according to weight for age 2008
28.8% 6
Maternal Mortality Ratio per 10,000 live births (est) 2008 4611
Estimated adult HIV prevalence rate (aged 15-49, est) 2009 0.7% 7
Households having access to improved water sources (urban/rural) 2008
76%/41% 1
Civilian casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance (annual) 2009
244 8
Official Development Assistance uS$989.5 million 9
2
UNDP Cambodia made key contributions to
pro-poor development in 2009 by supporting
democratic governance, poverty reduction and
environmental sustainability. Highlights included
helping to build an alliance to respond to climate
change, encouraging responsive government
through decentralization, and promoting
parliamentarians’ engagement with citizens.
UNDP assisted the Government in playing its
part in international efforts on demining,
land degradation, chemicals management,
ozone-depletion and aid effectiveness. It also
underpinned efforts to develop trade and creative
industries and promote alternative livelihoods
that help preserve both biodiversity and vital
natural resources. Its work ranged from providing
policy advice to organizing community self-help
groups that enable families to improve their lives.
In the area of democratic governance, policy
inputs contributed to the drafting of the 10-year
National Program for Sub-National Democratic
Development, and thousands of officials and
representatives received training to enable them
to carry out their new functions. Forums
organized by the local government association
conveyed local concerns to the Government.
Parliamentarians engaged with citizens
throughout the country and developed skills
in exercising their representative, law-making
and oversight functions. Balanced journalism
encouraged debate on sensitive issues. Gender
equality was incorporated into the decentrali-
zation programme and the revised National
Strategic Development Plan. Alternative dispute
resolution systems gave marginalized people
greater access to justice.
To support poverty reduction, key industries
with export potential were strengthened so that
Cambodia can reap the benefits of its integration
into the world trading system. UNDP and three
other UN agencies helped to revive creative
industries that will preserve Cambodia’s cultural
heritage. Analysis on key issues, including
Cambodia’s economic competitiveness and the
local impact of the global financial crisis,
contributed to informed debate. A study of
progress toward the Cambodia Millennium
Development Goals helped to identify gaps in
the data, contributing to the Government’s own
assessment in 2010. Work on streamlining foreign
assistance assisted development partners with
harmonizing their aid. Demining released 7.81 sq
km of land, benefiting more than 40,000 families.
The Government and donors formed an alliance
with UNDP support to help Cambodia fight
and adapt to climate change. Work continued
on managing the land sustainably to stem
desertification. At village level, efforts were
made to halt deforestation, establish community
fisheries, and protect mangroves and sea grass
beds. Cambodia contributed to international
efforts to protect the ozone layer and made
recommendations for using chemicals in ways that
minimize harmful effects. In biodiversity hotspots,
UNDP worked to promote participatory land
use planning, zonation and boundary marking.
Villagers adopted livelihoods such as ecotourism
that eased human pressure on natural resources.
2009 Overview
UNDP supports Cambodia as it finds its own solutions to national and global
developmentchallenges.
(UNDP / Isabelle Lesser)
2009 Overview - UNDP Annual Report 2009
3
The United Nations Development Programme is
one of 23 UN agencies, funds and programmes
operating in Cambodia under the umbrella of the
UN Resident Coordinator system, which works to
ensure that UN activities complement each other
and do not overlap. UNDP Cambodia concentrates
on promoting democratic governance, directly
reducing poverty, and managing the environment
and energy for sustainable development. It works
to protect human rights and empower women.
A cross-cutting priority is capacity development,
working to enhance the ability of individuals,
organizations and societies to achieve their own
development objectives.
UNDP works in partnership with the Royal
Government of Cambodia, non-governmental
organizations, civil society organizations,
community-based organizations, multilateral
aid agencies, bilateral donors and private firms.
About 80 percent of its development assistance
is implemented by national entities such as the
Parliament, the Council for the Development of
Cambodia and line ministries. At sub-national level
UNDP works with line departments and provincial,
municipal, district, and commune bodies. In some
instances, UNDP implements projects directly.
Capacity development takes many forms:
institutional reform, leadership development,
education, training and learning, and accoun-
tability and voice mechanisms. UNDP advisors
work with Cambodian counterparts to provide
a combination of technical advice, conferences,
study tours and formal training, as well as
coaching and mentoring. The skills transferred
may be as simple as organizing a meeting or
as complex as managing a multi-million dollar
budget over several years. Funds come from
three main sources: UNDP’s central budget
(about $9 million a year); major donors, usually
national governments ($25 to $30 million a year);
and funds specific to certain projects.
Villagers in Choamsrey Village in the Northern Plains elect their Community Protected Area Committee. UNDP supports participatory land use planning to create livelihood security and preserve natural resources.(MoE / Sok Vuthin)
How We Work
How We Work - UNDP Annual Report 2009
In 2009, UNDP Cambodia employed 353
personnel (core staff and project personnel) and
contracted 164 consultants, of whom 30 percent
were women. Core staff numbered 85 (49 men
and 36 women.) As well, UNV volunteers acted
as technical advisors and specialists in support
of UNDP’s programmes. As a knowledge-
driven organization, UNDP is committed to
continuous learning and career development.
Staff are encouraged to use the online Learning
Management System, which offers 3,000 courses
on a wide range of topics in several languages. As
well, UNDP hosts weekly learning sessions and
supports many staff to study independently.
UNDP Cambodia’s procurement spending in
2009 totalled $8.1 million, an 8.1 percent increase
over 2008. Engagement of professional services
of experts and specialists to strengthen national
capacities amounted to approximately $2.1
million, or approximately 26 percent of total
spending. UNDP also facilitated procurement on
behalf of numerous UN agencies which enabled
fellowships and participation in workshops abroad
by 207 Cambodians.
5Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
The Challenge
Cambodia has traditionally been a hierarchical
society and a highly centralized state, where
the poor and other marginalized groups have
little influence on decisions affecting their lives.
It is now a young democracy still developing
a culture of political pluralism. In the broader
society, women, the poor and indigenous peoples
face challenges to exercising their rights. The
Government is committed to decentralization
and deconcentration as cornerstones of pro-
poor development, and has begun the huge
task of devolving powers and functions to the
provinces, districts and communes. Following
the 2008 national elections, there appeared to be
greater constraints on the space for civic debate.
Laws on criminal defamation, disinformation and
incitement were used more frequently, and issues
with the voter registry and the electoral complaints
and appeals process remained unresolved.
UNDP’s Response
UNDP works to help democratic governance take
root and to promote understanding of democratic
rights and responsibilities. In 2009, it assisted the
evolution of Cambodia’s new system of sub-
national government through advice on structures
and processes, and through the development
of skills and knowledge among officials. It
supported the local government association and
strengthened councillors’ ability to implement
local development projects in ways that respond
to residents’ needs. It also supported balanced
journalism and encouraged civic engagement
and public accountability. Parliamentarians
came into direct contact with thousands of
constituents, and gained expert knowledge of
Key Achievements in 2009 The National Committee for Sub-National Democratic Devel-
opment approved 31 sub-decrees, ministerial circulars, guide-lines, notices and decisions to start putting the 2008 law on sub-national administration into effect. Most of the 10-year National Program for Sub-national Democratic Development was drafted.
The National League of Commune/Sangkat facilitated two regional, 11 provincial and 55 district forums, compiled local concerns and advocated for them at national level.
Parliamentarians made 13 field trips to 17 provinces, held sev-en public forums, visited facilities such as health clinics and prisons, talked with citizens and worked with local officials to find solutions to local issues.
Current affairs programme Equity Weekly produced 52 shows on sensitive issues for national television station TVK.
Gender concerns were integrated into the National Strategic Development Plan Update (2009-2013).
The proportion of government jobs held by women rose from 32 percent in 2008 to 34 percent in 2009.
New alternative dispute resolution mechanisms were expand-ed and strengthened: 36 new Commune Dispute Resolution Committees were established, bringing the total to 56.
1,969 cases were brought to the CDRCs and Maisons de la Jus-tice, of which 792 were successfully mediated.
Peace Table forums helped resolve land disputes involving in-digenous peoples.
the problems facing Cambodian society. Gender
concerns were integrated into policies and reform
programmes, and advocacy, research, advice and
training helped to coordinate gender equality
efforts. Marginalized people gained greater access
to justice through alternative dispute resolution
mechanisms, allowing them to resolve issues
including domestic violence and land disputes
more effectively and at lower cost.
Opposite: University students discuss what makes democracy work during a visit to the National Assembly. (UNDP / Chansok Lay)
Democratic Governance
6 Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Roads and bridges give rural people
better access to markets and services, improving livelihoods
and reducing pov-erty. Investments are channelled through nationally adopted
structures and systems.
(UNDP / Munthit Ker)
“I have received new knowledge
and learned kills that I can apply
to my daily work and share with
monitoring and evaluation focal
points. With- out skills and
knowledge, our provincial staff cannot provide
services to the local people as
efficiently as we would like
to see.” Ms Choup Khemnik, a training
Champion in Monitoring and
Evaluation of local government
projects from Pailin Province
and officials to manage development projects in
accordance with the rules of investment funds, in
the process learning techniques of governance,
oversight and transparency. Some $82 million
from the Government and development partners
was channelled through UNDP-supported
mechanisms for programme coordination, policy
development and sub-national operations.
UNDP partners with the EU to support the
National League of Commune/Sangkat, which
works to develop local councils, strengthen
them in their dealings with the Government,
and promote knowledge sharing. The League
has permanent seats on NCDD sub-committees,
allowing it to advocate for local governance at
national level. In 2009, the League organized
forums in two regions, 11 provinces and 55
districts to bring local needs to the attention of
national officials and allow councillors to develop
a mutual support network. The Ministry of Interior
and the League launched the Best Practice
Award programme for Commune/Sangkat (C/S)
Councils, which will recognize good practice in
local government. League members travelled to
Nepal and Indonesia to study local government
associations and discuss service delivery issues.
UNDP worked with the Department of Local
Administration’s Office of Capacity Building and
Training in the Ministry of Interior to design 36
training courses aimed at equipping councillors
and officials to operate in the new system. The
8,644 sessions reached 313,753 course participants
(188,020 men/125,733 women), making a total
of 4,262,358 participant-days supported by UNDP.
Some 86 percent of training events were delivered
at commune level. Nearly 28 percent of the
sessions focused on social issues, 17 percent on
economic and agricultural topics, 11 percent on
natural resource and environment management,
7 percent on administration and security, and 5
percent on gender mainstreaming. UNDP worked
to ensure that investments in local infrastructure
and services, ranging from roads, bridges and
irrigation works to schools and skills training, were
delivered through mechanisms that encourage
The Government has made decentralization
and deconcentration of government powers a
cornerstone of its development strategy. UNDP
supports this policy as a means of promoting
development, empowering the poor and making
elected officials more accountable. The process
crossed a watershed in 2008 with the passage of
the Law on Administrative Management of the
Capital, Province, Municipality, District and Khan,
better known as the Organic Law, which envisions
three levels of sub-national administration. This
came into effect in 2009, when councillors in
the 1,621 local government areas, known as
communes in the countryside and sangkats in
the cities, elected 193 Municipality/District/Khan
Councils and 24 Province/Capital Councils.
In partnership with SIDA, DFID and the EU,
UNDP works with 10 national ministries as well
as elected councillors and appointed officials at
province, district and commune level. The partners
support the National Committee for Sub-national
Democratic Development (NCDD) and the NCDD
Secretariat, which are responsible for putting the
Organic Law into effect. They assist government
bodies in making the transition to the new system
by supporting training in structures, systems,
roles and responsibilities. In 2009, the NCDD
Secretariat drafted the majority of the 10-year
National Program for Sub-national Democratic
Development and produced 31 sub-decrees,
ministerial circulars (prakas), guidelines, notices
and decisions to start implementing the Organic
Law. The partners also helped sub-national councils
Stronger local government boosts responsiveness and accountability
7Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Wells improve health and save families hours of labour carrying water from distant streams. Water management committees learn well maintenance and train villagers in hygiene and sanitation.(UNDP / Vannak Thou)
“We can move corn out of the field a lot more easily, and buyers can also bring their trucks in to collect the produce. We are able to sell at a better price. That is because there are better roads and bridges.” Chou Savuth, 28, a corn farmer in Battambang Province
participation and promote accountability. A total
of $56 million was made available through four
funds: the Commune/Sangkat Fund ($49 million),
the Provincial Investment Fund ($2.4 million), the
District Initiative ($2.85 million) and the Inter-
Commune Cooperation Fund ($1.83 million).
UNDP supported the administration of the funds
and the implementation of projects through
training on project manuals, financial procedures,
feasibility studies, safeguard assurances, planning,
procurement, accountability, monitoring and
reporting. Bottlenecks were resolved and
procedures streamlined, so funds were disbursed
at higher rates than in previous years and more
projects responded to local needs. The potential
for UNDP support to improve the implementation
of projects undertaken using the NCDD framework
was shown by a comparison of 21 projects and
facilities, which amounted to $63 million worth of
investments by the Government and 15 donors.
Transfer and delivery rates for the projects fully
assisted by UNDP were 35 percent higher than for
projects receiving only partial support.
To promote aid effectiveness, UNDP supported
the annual integration workshops held in all
districts, which brought together C/S Councils
and supporters including line departments of
national ministries, international organizations and
NGOs. In 2009, the workshops produced 42,136
one-year agreements between councils and
supporters for projects to be carried out in 2010,
promoting responsiveness and accountability
on the part of supporters. From 2008 to 2009, the
percentage of agreements directly corresponding
to commune priorities rose from 35 percent to
46 percent, while implementation rose from
73 percent to 83 percent. UNDP supported the
production of 193 District Data Books and 24
Province/Capital Data Books, which compiled
data from many different sources, allowing better
planning and management. It supported the
upgrade of the Project Information Data Base for
tracking C/S Fund projects and linked it with the
C/S financial management system. Information
technology capacity was established in all 193
districts/municipalities and 24 provinces/capital.
Basic facilities improve quality of life in former battlefield districtsIn Battambang Province, where peace was not
restored until the late 1990s, UNDP worked with
the EU and the Government to build infrastructure
and provide livelihoods training. The investments
were made in four former battlefield districts
using structures and systems adopted by the
National Committee for Sub-national Democratic
Development. Communities were involved in
selecting sites and validating project processes,
thus strengthening the sense of local ownership.
The project constructed 81 km of laterite roads,
17 bridges, 128 culverts and one spillway, giving
24,945 families better access to schools, health
centres and other services, and making it easier
to take produce to market. In addition, 107 wells
freed families from having to carry water from
distant streams, which they had blamed for
causing diseases. Management committees were
formed comprising 808 people (566 men/242
women). Members of the well committees
learned basic maintenance, hygiene and
sanitation and went on to train another 2,113
villagers (895 men/1238 women). Ten new schools
enabled class sizes to drop from 70 to 50 pupils.
Some school committees began collections to
cover maintenance costs and develop gardens.
Two training centres were built and 42 women
received training in tailoring and hair-dressing. It
is hoped this will enable women to find work or
start businesses locally, lessening their need to
migrate to the cities and towns in search of work.
8 Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Traditional Authorities from indigenous groups
in Mondulkiri meet parliamentarians and discuss the challenges
they face, as well as their culture, livelihood system
and traditional rules.(National Assembly)
them to hold the parliamentarians accountable
for actions promised. UNDP supported two
regional forums on local governance organized
by the National League of Commune/Sangkat.
The forums, which brought local councillors
together with 64 parliamentarians, identified
challenges such as funding for commune activities
and discrimination against women councillors.
Draft laws on Inter-country Adoptions and the
revised Penal Code were discussed in hearings
attended by judges, lawyers and journalists, as
well as representatives of embassies and civil
society. A Women’s Leadership Retreat supported
by UNDP and the Inter-Parliamentary Union
produced a provisional agreement to create a
women parliamentarians group in the National
Assembly. A Code of Conduct on ethical conduct
for both Houses was drafted and remained under
consultation. UNDP supported 13 seminars,
workshops and breakfast briefings on critical
issues. A seminar conducted in collaboration
with the Australian Parliament enabled 86
parliamentarians to improve their understanding
of oversight techniques. A one-day seminar on
Democracy and Political Tolerance was organized
with the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Konrad
Adenauer Foundation. A Parliamentary Handbook
on HIV/AIDS was developed in collaboration with
stakeholders including UNAIDS, Family Health
International, and the National AIDS Authority.
Parliamentarians visited the Parliaments of Italy
and Lao PDR, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union
in Geneva, and joined a mission to study Italy’s
decentralization process.
In the secretariats, 68 staff (55 men/13 women)
were trained in skills such as strategic management
and communication through the mass media,
and 28 staff (19 men/9 women) studied Khmer
language shorthand. A UNV volunteer taught
English to parliamentarians and staff who will
manage the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
in 2011. The TCS convened the Parliamentary
Steering Committee to play an oversight role
on assistance. A newsletter, Voice of Parliament,
highlighted activities related to lawmaking,
representation and the balance of power.
Parliamentarians meet the people and develop new expertise
Key to good governance is the ability of the
Parliament to represent the people, make laws,
and oversee the executive branch of government.
UNDP supports the National Assembly and
the Senate in carrying out these functions, and
assists the Secretariats General of the two houses
and the Technical Coordination Secretariat
(TCS) in delivering effective services. In 2009,
parliamentarians went on field missions and held
public forums, joined forums with Commune
Councillors and engaged in youth outreach. They
consulted on draft laws and shared the feedback
through dialogues with the executive. They also
gained knowledge and skills through seminars,
workshops and briefings, and shared experiences
with parliamentarians from other countries.
The 13 field missions took 109 parliamentarians
(82 men/27 women) to 17 provinces to monitor
the dissemination of laws, including those on
HIV/AIDS, disabilities and domestic violence. The
lawmakers held seven public forums on issues
including land disputes and human trafficking,
and visited prisons, drug rehabilitation houses
and hostels for expectant mothers. They explored
solutions and recommended corrective actions,
including the creation of a women’s development
fund. A field trip to Mondulkiri Province helped
parliamentarians to better understand indi-
genous peoples’ cultures and livelihoods, and 24
indigenous leaders made a return visit, allowing
“The visit has encouraged
them to study harder for their future. Some of
the students who just graduated from grade 12
are planning to apply for law
school because they want to
become members of Parliament.” Mr Chheng
Sophanarum, Principal of Kor High School in
Kampong Cham Province
9Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Students at Build Bright University in Banteay Meanchey Province dis-cuss issues raised in the Equity TV programmes, which are distributed on DVD to reach a broader audience.(UNDP / Greg Lavender)
UNDP works to improve Cambodia’s election
processes and to create a neutral space for
dialogue, to encourage civic engagement and
public accountability, and to support balanced
journalism. It works with the Ministry of Interior,
the Ministry of Information, the National Election
Committee (NEC), political parties, and civil society
organizations. In 2009, the activities were funded
by UNDP, the UN Democracy Fund, AusAID, CIDA,
SIDA, the Democratic Governance Thematic Trust
Fund, Irish Aid and Oxfam America.
UNDP and the national broadcaster, TVK,
supported the production of Equity Weekly, which
made 52 programmes on sensitive issues such as
gambling and sand-dredging. Some issues were
picked up by policymakers and corrective actions
were taken. The media environment became
more difficult, with the Government winning
several lawsuits on the grounds of defamation and
disinformation. The Minister of Information issued
a letter assuring Equity Weekly guests that they
would not be prosecuted for views expressed on
the show. The Ministry of Information also created
an Equity Bureau, demonstrating its dedication to
Equity programming.
Efforts to improve the voter register and the
election complaints and appeals process met
with difficulties. The EU legal advisor, who
leads the process in coordination with UNDP,
recommended amendments to the election
law, but the NEC emphasized that its role was
to implement the law and that broader reform
required involvement of other key stakeholders,
including the Ministry of Interior (MoI). The NEC
has been perceived as having limited institutional
independence, since its members are nominated
by MoI and approved by the National Assembly
at the request of the Council of Ministers. After
the 2008 National Assembly poll, a survey of
8,678 voters by an NGO, the Committee for Free
and Fair Elections (COMFREL), with the consent of
the Ministry of Interior, found that 21.4 percent
of electors who did not vote could not find their
names on the list or could not locate their polling
station. Training and equipment support for the
MoI’s national ID card programme was maintained,
but efforts to create an interface between MoI’s
ID card database and the NEC’s voter register
did not proceed. Discussions on improving the
registration system did not yield agreement, with
the governing party citing international observer
reports that described the 2008 poll as free and
fair. The 2008 EU Election Observation Mission
in Cambodia welcomed improvements, but also
concluded that the elections fell short of a number
of international standards. UNDP and its partners
supported a meeting where the NEC provided an
update on voter registration and participants from
the governing party and four opposition parties
were able to express their opinions.
Voter Benchmark workshops involving 1,410
people (898 men/512 women) were held in
four provinces to make voters aware of the
Government’s political platform and strategies.
A report detailing the benchmarks and commit-
ments made by officials was later released. Twenty
Local Public Forums involving 1,316 people
(659 men/557 women) enabled voters to meet
Commune Councillors, and 37 local observers
(24 men/13 women) were selected to follow up
on the councillors’ commitments. COMFREL
prepared personal profiles of National Assembly
members and monitored field missions by
parliamentarians, finding that 99 members of the
National Assembly made 1,042 field trips in 2009.
Responsive media and neutral forums make space for democratic debate
10 Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Mrs Chhoy Kim Sore, Director of the
Department of Planning and Statistics in
the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, trains staff
of the National Institute of Statistics on gender
and statistics. (UNDP /
Patricia Alexander)
Policies and reforms promote gender equity, empower womenCambodian women generally have lower status
than men in the family and the economy and
at all levels of society. They have poorer access
to education and health care, and limited
employment and business opportunities. They are
also disproportionately affected by gender-based
violence and human trafficking. UNDP works
with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) to
strengthen the national capacity and response
in promotion of gender equality and women’s
empowerment. UNDP provides advocacy,
research, training, coaching, mentoring, and policy
and technical advice to MoWA and line ministries.
The partners work to integrate gender concerns
into policies, reform programmes, budgeting,
implementation and monitoring frameworks.
They also support the development of income-
generation opportunities and vocational and
entrepreneurship skills for rural and poor women.
In 2009, a stronger commitment on gender
equality was integrated into the National Strategic
Development Plan Update (2009-2013). The NSDP
Update includes gender equality strategies in
sectors such as tourism, labour and agriculture,
plus core targets and indicators related to gender
equality, as well as sex-disaggregated data for
monitoring and evaluation. Almost all line ministries
have Gender Mainstreaming Action Groups,
and 16 have developed Gender Mainstreaming
Action Plans, which provide mechanisms for
implementing and monitoring the Government’s
policy commitments at the sector level. Gender
equality considerations were incorporated into
the activities and monitoring indicators of the
draft National Program for Sub-national
Democratic Development (2010-2019). The
Ministerial Circular on the Provincial and District
Women and Children’s Consultative Committees
was completed, as was the draft capacity
development framework for women in decision-
making roles at sub-national level. The Public
Administration Reform process addressed gender
issues as a result of cooperation with the Council
of Administrative Reform. A manual, Making
Governance Gender Responsive, was developed for
capacity development of civil servants.
The proportion of government jobs held by
women rose from 32 percent in 2008 to 34 percent
in 2009, against the target of 35 percent by 2010 set
in the Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan and the
State Secretariat of Civil Service’s 2008 guidelines.
The Royal School of Administration incorporated
gender equality in its curriculum, and gender
training sessions at the School reached 300
officials and 50 students. UNDP supported MoWA
in developing its third five-year strategic plan,
Neary Rattanak III (Women are Precious Gems 3). It
also supported the Secretariat of the Technical
Working Group on Gender (TWG-G), which brings
together government, development partners and
civil society. The TWG-G developed an action plan,
joint monitoring indicators and regular reports to
the Council for the Development of Cambodia for
the Government Donor Consultative Committee.
MoWA and the TWG-G secured the support of
partners for a programme based approach to
gender mainstreaming, which aims to harmonize
development assistance around nationally
owned priorities and plans, rather than through
separate donor-led projects. The Women’s
Development Centre in Kampong Speu Province,
an initiative supported by UNDP, MoWA and the
International Trade Center, developed reports
on the Market Opportunity Study on weaving
cotton kramas (traditional scarves), making
doormats from garment waste fabric, and
producing palm sugar.
11Democratic Governance - UNDP Annual Report 2009
People in Somkanigh Village in Rattanakiri Province devise their own solutions to domestic violence during a Community Conversation. (UNDP / Sona Long)
Alternative dispute resolution enables better access to justiceCambodia is working to bridge the gap between
the formal and informal justice systems and
to strengthen mechanisms for alternative
dispute resolution. In support of this strategy,
UNDP works to make the justice system more
effective, responsive and accessible to the most
marginalized in society, especially the poor,
women and indigenous peoples. The activities
were conducted for four years in partnership with
the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Ministry
of Interior (MoI), and in close cooperation with
the Council for Legal and Judicial Reform, with
funding from the Spanish Agency for International
Cooperation for Development (AECID) and UNDP.
Two alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
were established in six provinces, and a village-
based process was developed to empower
communities to curb domestic violence. UNDP
supported efforts to enable indigenous peoples
to address challenges in their own communities
and in relation to broader Cambodian society. It
also worked with 47 members of Parliament to
increase their awareness of indigenous peoples’
rights and customary rules.
Parties to a dispute may now take the case to a
Commune Dispute Resolution Committee (CDRC),
comprising representatives working as volunteers,
or to a district Maison de la Justice staffed by
officers who provide free mediation services and
basic legal information and advice. In 2009, UNDP
established 36 new CDRCS and supported the
existing 20 CDRCs and 20 Maisons. All 392 CDRC
members and 60 Maison staff received training in
alternative dispute resolution, fundamental rights
and basic legal concepts. In all, 1,118 cases were
submitted to the CDRCs and 851 to the Maisons.
The most common causes of conflict were land
disputes, debts, domestic violence, divorce, and
defamation or insult. By the end of 2009, 792 of
the cases had been mediated successfully, 846
were in process and 171 were awaiting the start
of mediation. A local NGO, Legal Aid of Cambodia,
held consultations with 105 women and accepted
122 legal aid cases. An international NGO, Insight
Collaborative, helped to prepare a mediation
handbook. Four officials from MoJ and MoI made
a study tour to Nepal to learn from its experiences
in alternative dispute resolution.
To address domestic violence, 396 Community
Conversations were held in 89 villages, and 36 new
facilitators were trained, bringing the total to 267.
A baseline survey in Rattanakiri and Mondulkiri
Provinces assessed attitudes, perceptions and
beliefs regarding domestic violence. A mid-
term survey in three other provinces showed
a broader understanding of what constitutes
domestic violence, compared with the findings
of the baseline study in those provinces. Virtually
everyone who had attended a Community
Conversation said they found it easier to discuss
the problem. Drunkenness remained the most
commonly cited contributory factor.
To strengthen access to justice for Cambodia’s
indigenous peoples, UNDP worked with traditional
leaders and officials in 12 villages in Rattanakiri
and Mondulkiri. Community Legal Education
Center (CLEC) trained 72 Traditional Authorities
and 60 women in alternative dispute resolution
skills, human rights and relevant laws, particularly
the land and forestry laws. Mediation meetings
known as Peace Tables were conducted in
partnership with the local authorities and CLEC.
A 1,200 ha land concession was cancelled after a
Peace Table found it overlapped local communities’
spirit forests and cemeteries. With UNDP support,
CLEC provided legal aid in two new cases in which
members of indigenous groups had become
involved in cases in provincial courts.
“I just hope that one day we are able to eradicate this type of act once and for all.” Mop Chhenh, 24, a Phnong woman in Mondulkiri Province, speaking after training in combatting domestic violence through Community Conversations
12
13Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
The Challenge
Cambodia felt the impact of the global financial
crisis more acutely than most countries in Asia,
with GDP growth contracting by up to 2.5 percent
in 2009. This was due to the high vulnerability of its
economy, which is export-oriented and narrowly
based. The downturn caused job losses and falls in
incomes and remittances to rural areas, adversely
affecting the 30 percent of the population who
live below the national poverty line of US$0.60
a day. It also increased the pressure placed on
the environment by people who rely on natural
resources for their livelihoods. Coming on top
of high food and gasoline prices in 2008, the
downturn reversed gains achieved in the past 10
years and strained Cambodia’s ability to achieve
its MDG of reducing poverty to 19.5 percent by
2015. It exacerbated socio-economic inequalities:
Cambodia now has one of the highest disparities
between rich and poor in Asia. Inequality increased
not only between rural and urban areas, but also
within rural areas. In response, the Government
engaged with development partners to prepare
a National Social Protection Strategy for the Poor
and Vulnerable that will shield the rural poor from
shocks, and focused on agricultural development
as a source of sustainable growth and better
livelihoods.
UNDP’s Response
UNDP mounted an integrated response designed
to boost returns on productive assets, increase
awareness of economic conditions, ensure that
revenues are used for pro-poor development,
and support coordination of foreign aid. In 2009,
it supported mine clearance that made more
land available for agriculture, thereby reducing
rural poverty. It supported efforts to diversify the
economy by developing products and services
that show export promise. It also contributed to
the commercialization of products and services
in the cultural industries that have potential to
reduce poverty among women and indigenous
groups. To highlight the threat posed by the
downturn, UNDP produced snapshot reports on
the impact of the crisis. It supported research into
Cambodia’s competitiveness in world markets,
and into policy options for ensuring that revenues
from the petroleum and mining industries are
used for the benefit of the nation as a whole. It also
supported close monitoring of progress towards
the Cambodia MDGs and supported coordination
and tracking of foreign assistance.
Opposite: Fishing is a key source of food and income for rural Cambodian families. (UNDP / Arantxa Cedillo)
Key Achievements in 2009 A Value Chain Information Unit was established within the
Ministry of Commerce to maintain up-to-date information on 19 products targeted for trade promotion.
A silk industry association set up an information network among spinners, weavers and traders, mapped weaving ca-pacity and set up savings groups in weaver communities.
A new programme of support for creative industries was set up jointly by UNESCO, ILO, FAO and UNDP to create new liveli-hood options for women and indigenous peoples and pre-serve Cambodia’s cultural heritage.
Original research contributed to the debate on the global economic downturn, Cambodia’s competitive strengths in the world trading arena, and corporate social responsibility in the extractive industries.
An analysis of progress toward the CMDGs showed that most progress had been achieved on demining, reducing child mortality, and fighting malaria, dengue fever and TB.
The Government’s aid effectiveness unit improved the database that tracks Official Development Assistance and launched an online database of NGO disbursements.
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre released 7.81 sq km of land through clearance, working with UNDP-managed funds. Deminers destroyed 6,459 anti-personnel mines, 230 anti-tank mines and 39,726 pieces of unexploded ordnance.
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority drew up a National Mine Action Strategy.
Poverty Reduction
14 Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Cashew nuts are being targeted for
development as an export product.
New investments are planned in
two provinces.(UNDP /
Arantxa Cedillo)
Trade helps Cambodia to reap benefits from world economy
Cambodian exports have untapped potential to
boost growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
To achieve this, Cambodia has adopted a Sector-
Wide Approach to trade, known as the Trade
SWAp, which aims to provide a common results
framework for the implementation of the
Cambodia Trade Development Strategy. UNDP’s
contribution is made through its partnership
with the Ministry of Commerce (MoC). Together,
they provide analytical foundations for policy
recommendations, coordinate trade-related
technical assistance, and develop knowledge
and skills among producers, traders and
officials. Activities include conducting value
chain analyses, developing producer associations,
strengthening product supply chains, forming
linkages with buyers, and improving marketing.
The partners aim to help Cambodia make the
most of its World Trade Organization membership
and the support it receives from the Enhanced
Integrated Framework, a multi-donor, multi-
agency initiative for Least Developed Countries.
Much of the work grows out of Cambodia’s 2007
Trade Integration Strategy, which identified 19
priority products and sectors, including rice,
cashew nuts, silk, cassava and fish. In 2009, the
MoC worked to establish up-to-date value chain
information on the 19 products. Cambodian
rice millers began discussions with a Singapore-
based company specializing in supply chain
management of agriculture products and food
ingredients. The Cashew Nut Association of
Kampong Thom Province set up links with the
Dong Nai Province Cashew Nut Association in
Vietnam, paving the way for investment in two
provinces. A Longan Plantation Association was
established in Pailin, near Thailand. The Kampong
Khlaing Prahok Orb Association, established in
a commune that produces Cambodia’s most
renowned prahok, or fermented fish paste, studied
merchandising in Phnom Penh and supported
its members in accessing credit and increasing
production. Value chain analyses of cassava and
rice were begun, including a literature review
and field interviews with farmers, traders and
processors in two provinces. MoC officials and
members of a cassava producers association
visited China to study cassava processing and
marketing. Core trade issues were established
through research by MoC in partnership with
the Royal School of Administration, the Royal
University of Law and Economics, and other
regional networks. officials from Bhutan made a
study tour to learn from Cambodia’s experience
in mainstreaming trade in development. MoC
officials joined the Second Regional Aid for Trade
Review in Siem Reap and the Second Global
Review in Geneva.
The Cambodian sector-wide silk strategy, which
is being implemented by the International Trade
Center with support from UNDP, assembled
information about the state of the industry and
helped the sector to represent its interests in
a coordinated way. An assessment pinpointed
improvements needed in the quantity and quality
of mulberry leaves, the breeding and handling of
silk worms, and techniques for spinning silk yarn. A
survey established that production of Cambodia’s
premium silk, Khmer Golden Silk, is declining as
farmers migrate for work or focus on crops that
provide a quicker return. Khmer Silk Villages, an
association of farmers and weavers, mapped
weaving capacity, established a Silk Network
to share information, began setting up savings
groups in 29 communities.
“The fishermen and prahok
makers will be able to get more
money for their fish. Higher
incomes will improve their
living conditions.”
Kampong Khlaing
commune chief Tui Nheam,
59, commenting on the Kampong
Khlaing Prahok Association
15Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
“We are encouraged by the team and glad that they are buying the products from us. The new colour palettes are easy to understand and help us to put together better designs.” Chun Lee, master weaver, of Pu Les Village, Dak Dam Commune, Mondulkiri Province
A man from the Kuy indigenous group in Kampong Thom Province weaves a rattan basket. Creative industries have the potential to improve livelihoods for women and Cam-bodia’s indigenous groups.(Creative Industries Support Programme)
The Creative Industries Support Programme aims
to preserve and promote Cambodia’s cultural
heritage, resulting in better livelihoods among the
poor in the most remote areas of four provinces,
with a strong focus on women and indigenous
peoples. This joint programme is funded by the
UNDP-Spain Millennium Development Goals
Achievement Fund. it involves four UN agencies
working in collaboration with ministries: UNESCO
and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts; ILO and
the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy; FAO and
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries;
and UNDP and the Ministry of Commerce. The
commercial promotion of cultural products
and services is expected to increase capacity,
employment opportunities and revenues among
local communities.
Within the framework of the programme, UNDP
focuses on enabling improved commercialization
of cultural products and services from the
grassroots level. it helps to identify cultural
products and services that hold promise for
improved commercialization and develops value
chain analyses, promotes links between local
producers and traders, encourages engagement
between the private sector, public sector, and
civil society organizations, and supports the
promotion of cultural products at trade fairs. It
also identifies challenges in the implementation
of trade legislation and export procedures,
supports producer groups in addressing
bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and tries to ensure
that market forces and appropriate regulations
such as intellectual property rights help to
strengthen fragile local systems. It works to
embed competiveness strategies within NGOs
at provincial level, and provides training support
to government counterparts and capacity
building of local NGO partners in the field.
In 2009, UNDP and the programme partners
identified a range of viable cultural products and
services, focusing on those that are produced
with significant involvement of women and
indigenous minorities in four provinces:
Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, Preah Vihear and Kampong
Thom. UNDP conducted value chain analyses
of promising products and services, and on the
basis of the findings, four of the candidates were
chosen for support: indigenous textile weaving,
rattan/bamboo handicrafts, indigenous pottery,
and resin collection for making varnish and paint.
Next, a range of potential market solutions and
strategies that could be used to upgrade the
value chains of the chosen products and services
were identified. Consultations between producers
and traders of cultural products and services,
representatives of the Provincial Department of
Commerce and local NGOs from all four provinces
were conducted to assess challenges and identify
stakeholders at grassroots level. The process of
engaging these stakeholders contributed to
building stronger relationships between the public
sector, the private sector and civil society. During
field trips to the four provinces, relationships were
established with potential development partners,
including national and local NGOs. UNDP also
supported the promotion of selected products
and the participation of local producers in the
4th Cambodia Import-Export and One Province,
One Product Exhibition, where it worked through
an NGO network and Provincial Departments
of Commerce in supporting promotion and
participation of the selected cultural products and
producers in the event. Out of nine delegates who
came from the four provinces, five were women.
Creative industries support new livelihoods and preserve cultural heritage
16 Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Construction, a key ena-bling industry for exports, suffered during the global
financial crisis, further demonstrating the need
for the Cambodian economy to diversify.
(UNDP / Isabelle Lesser)
UNDP partners with the Government and donors
to produce and share research and policy briefs
in areas that are crucial for inclusive and pro-poor
development. In 2009, it focused on economic
competitiveness, extractive industries, the global
financial crisis and rural livelihoods. Cambodian
Country Competitiveness: Driving Economic Growth
and Poverty Reduction focused on agriculture,
tourism, and garments/light manufacturing as
key drivers of growth, and on the power of the
construction industry and the information and
communications technology industry to enable
these export sectors to perform better. Published in
cooperation with the Supreme National Economic
Council (SNEC) and the Overseas Development
Institute, the study was the main UN contribution
to the Third Cambodia Economic Forum. It was
also presented to more than 300 business people,
parliamentarians, officials and students.
Corporate Social Responsibility in Cambodia: Issues
and Challenges in Developing Cambodia’s Extractive
Industries gave an overview of best practices,
challenges in addressing social concerns, and
what can be done to ensure that the minerals
and oil sectors afford the greatest benefits to all
of Cambodian society. Four representatives of
Cambodia participated in the second High Level
Meeting for Oil and Gas Producing Countries of
the South in Nairobi, Kenya. The Global Economic
Downturn: Opportunity or Crisis? recommended a
nationally integrated social protection system, fiscal
expansion with a focus on equitable access, and
improved institutional capacity. It was presented
at international forums in Beijing, Bangkok and
Singapore and discussed at presentations with the
Government, development partners and NGOs.
Six editions of Crisis Impact Watch monitored the
impact of the crisis, reporting that more than
50 garment factories closed down and 63,000
workers lost their jobs, with women the worst
affected. Job losses expose them to increased risk
of trafficking and HIV infection. Cambodia was
one of 14 Asian countries chosen as case studies
for The Global Financial Crisis and the Asia-Pacific
Region: A Synthesis Study Incorporating Evidence
from Country Case Studies by the UNDP Regional
Centre for Asia Pacific.
Eight discussions were organized for parliamen-
tarians and officials on issues including the financial
crisis, oil and gas, and the Cambodia Human
Development Report 2007: Expanding Choices for
Rural People. The Ministry of Planning, with UNDP
support, ran workshops on the report attended
by more than 800 people in five provinces.
Original research offers new policy options for economic success
17Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Cambodia’s child mortal-ity rate has dropped dramatically, but needs to fall further to achieve its Millennium Develop-ment Goal by 2015.(UNDP / Sona Long )
Scorecard measures progress toward Cambodia MDGs
In agreeing to the United Nations Millennium
Declaration in 2000, world leaders committed
their nations to a new global partnership to
reduce extreme poverty and achieve major
progress towards eight development targets
by 2015. The targets, which became known as
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), are
at the core of the development mandate of the
UN system. Cambodia has adopted the eight
goals and added a ninth – demining, clearance
of unexploded ordnance and victim assistance –
which is particularly relevant in a country still
recovering from three decades of war. The nine
Cambodia MDGs cover 25 overall targets and 106
specific targets. The CMDGs are also at the heart
of Cambodia’s development strategy, which is
defined in the Government’s Rectangular Strategy
and set out with operational detail in its National
Strategic Development Plan. The Government
is preparing the Cambodia 2010 Millennium
Development Goal Report, which will assess
progress towards the nine goals.
The UN Country Team in Cambodia prepared its
next UN Development Action Framework for the
years 2011 to 2015. In the process, it worked to
align UN programmes better with the CMDGs. In
2009, to support this effort, UNDP carried out an
internal and interim assessment of progress made
so far towards the goals and prepared a Working
Paper with a summary of the most important
findings. The research represented only an
initial preparatory step towards the government
report, and UNDP emphasized that data was still
lacking in many areas. It also noted that there
were inconsistencies in definitions between
various time points and data sources. However, it
expressed the hope that discussion of the Working
Paper would help identify gaps and errors so that
they could be corrected in the official Cambodia
2010 MDG Report.
UNDP is developing a ‘scorecard’ for each goal.
First, it established a benchmark, or initial value,
for each indicator using data from 2000 or close
to it, and compared it with the 2015 goal. The
difference between the benchmark and the goal
was designated the ‘total distance’ that needed to
be travelled to achieve the goal. Next, a ‘current
value’ was established using the most recent
reliable data, allowing a measure of the distance
travelled so far from the benchmark to the current
value. This distance travelled so far, expressed
as a percentage of the total distance, represents
‘progress’. For example, the benchmark for the
specific target for the infant mortality rate was 95
deaths per 1,000 live births in 1998. The goal is 50
per 1,000 births in 2015, giving a total distance of
45. The most recent data indicate that the infant
mortality rate was 60 per 1,000 live births in 2008,
so the current value is 95 less 60, or 35. Thus, the
progress made so far is 35 / 45, or 79 percent.
The analysis found that the most progress has
been achieved in CMDG4 (Child Mortality), CMDG9
(De-mining, UXO and Victim Assistance) and
CMDG6 (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Dengue Fever and TB).
The analysis found that, with major changes and
focused attention, it may be possible to achieve
CMDG1 (Poverty and Hunger) and CMDG3 (Gender
Equality). Even with drastic changes, it is unlikely
that CMDG2 (Basic Nine-year Education), CMDG5
(Maternal Health) and CMDG7 (Environment) will
be reached. As well, CMDG3 (Gender Equality)
may fall ‘off track’ if the issue of domestic violence
is not vigorously addressed.
“A simple CMDG scorecard is very useful and an essential part of the sub-national planning process. We are diffusing this information to all the corners of the country for reference.” H.E. Hou Taing Eng, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Planning and Head of the NCDD Sub-National Planning Committee
18 Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Government and partners work together for aid effectiveness
Cambodia is highly dependent on external
assistance, with a major share of its development
budget supplied by donors. The aid is also highly
fragmented, with relatively low coordination
among development partners compared to other
countries. UNDP partners with AusAID, CIDA, DFID
and NZAid to support the Government in mana-
ging and coordinating this aid more effectively,
promoting harmonized practices among donors,
and sharing information about the development
cooperation activities of national and interna-
tional partners and civil society. UNDP supports
the Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development
Board at the Council for the Development of
Cambodia (CRDB/CDC), the Government’s focal
point for mobilizing and coordinating official
development assistance. The CRDB/CDC leads
the policy dialogue on aid effectiveness, works
with line ministries, government agencies, donors
and NGOs, and contributes to forums including
the OECD-Development Assistance Committee,
which monitors progress in implementing the
2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.
In 2009, CRDB/CDC launched an online database
of NGO disbursements, and improved the data-
base that tracks Official Development Assistance.
It demonstrated progress in its ability to collect
and analyse relevant data, such as the Paris
Declaration Survey. It led the Making Partnerships
Effective in Cambodia Initiative, which addresses
the partnership and behavioural aspects of aid
management. For the second year, the CRDB/
CDC hosted a peer learning exchange on aid
management with colleagues from Lao PDR,
Nepal, and East Timor. CRDB/CDC participated in
the OECD-Development Assistance Committee
partner caucus in Paris, and in the launch
of Capacity Development for Development
Effectiveness, a knowledge exchange facility for
aid effectiveness practitioners in 21 countries.
It formed a partnership with the Cooperation
Committee for Cambodia, a civil society umbrella
group that considers governance and aid
effectiveness issues, to strengthen the capacity
of NGOs to coordinate their support and be
accountable to citizens. CRDB/CDC supported
line ministries and agencies developing their
leadership of the 19 Technical Working Groups
(TWGs) which bring together government
bodies, development partners and civil society
organizations in each sector. The TWG Network
was used to help develop joint monitoring
indicators for aid effectiveness in each sector and
to compile them across all sectors. These medium-
term indicators are used to agree on targets,
to create consensus on activities, resources,
timeframes and commitments, and to foster joint
efforts to achieve priority development goals.
The indicators were endorsed by the Government-
Development Partners Cooperation Committee,
to which the TWGs report on their activities. Key
members of the TWGs were trained in Managing
for Development Results, an internationally-
endorsed strategy that focuses on using
performance information to improve decision-
making aimed at achieving the MDGs. The TWG
Network was also helpful for strengthening
cross-sectoral dialogue on the National Strategic
Development Plan Update (2009-2013).
Coordination and harmonization of
donor efforts are key to achieving aid
effectiveness.(UNDP /
Isabelle Lesser)
19Poverty Reduction - UNDP Annual Report 2009
After nearly three decades of conflict, almost
650 sq km of land in Cambodia remains severely
affected by landmines and explosive remnants of
war. In response, Cambodia has adopted a special
ninth Millennium Development Goal to clear all
affected land, reduce casualties and improve
survivor assistance. In partnership with AusAID,
CIDA and Adopt-a-Minefield, UNDP supports
the Government oversight body, the Cambodian
Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority
(CMAA), which leads the mine action agenda by
developing policies, strategies, and standards, and
monitors all demining activities. The partners also
support demining work by the Cambodian Mine
Action Centre (CMAC).
The CMAA led the formulation of Cambodia’s
request for a 10-year extension to its deadline
under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, and
presented the request at the Second Review
Conference of the treaty in Cartagena, Colombia.
The extension gives Cambodia until 2019 to
clear all known mined areas. In preparation for
the request, the CMAA launched a baseline
survey to determine the extent of the remaining
contamination. The CMAA also drew up a National
Mine Action Strategy which is aligned with the
mine action goals of the Government’s National
Strategic Development Plan. This makes it easier
for donors to align their support with Cambodia’s
mine action goals, thus promoting Cambodia’s
aid effectiveness principles. To celebrate the 10th
anniversary of Cambodia signing the treaty, UNDP
and AusAID commissioned a documentary and
an art project on the impact of mine action. The
works were shown in Cambodia and Cartagena.
The CMAA accredited a Royal Cambodian
Armed Forces demining platoon as a mine
clearance operator. Its Regulation and Monitoring
Department trained two more Quality Assurance
teams, bringing the total number of teams to
six. Altogether, the teams conducted 1,447 field
visits to activities being carried out by demining
operators. The CMAA also revised or developed
four Cambodian Mine Action Standards,
including one for land release that will allow the
faster release of huge stretches of land by better
concentrating clearance activities on suspect
areas. Monitoring of how cleared land is used was
decentralized to the Government’s Mine Action
Planning Units (MAPUs). Fifteen MAPU staff were
trained and equipped to conduct monitoring of
post-clearance land use, and were coached by
CMAA Socio-Economic Teams while monitoring
468 sites. Gender considerations were integrated
into most activities, including recruitments. UNDP
served on the Gender Technical Reference Group
for the formulation of the National Mine Action
Strategy and the revision of the MAPU guidelines.
Instructions for Village Mine Clearance Planning
were made gender-sensitive to ensure that
both women and men are involved in deciding
which areas should be given priority. UNDP also
supported the CMAA’s attendance at the annual
gender and mine action conference in Geneva. In
2009, working with UNDP-managed funds, CMAC
cleared 7.81 sq km of land. Deminers found and
destroyed 6,459 anti-personnel mines, 230 anti-
tank mines and 39,726 pieces of unexploded
ordnance. About 60 percent of the cleared land
was used for agriculture and resettlement, 20
percent for road construction and 5 percent for
irrigation. The clearance benefited 8,463 families
directly and another 35,112 families indirectly.
7.81sq km of land was cleared in 2009 with UNDP-managed funds. A baseline survey is establishing how much land remains contaminated.(UNDP / Nathan Horton)
“We firmly hope that you will remain with us on our road to overcome remaining challenges to make Cambodia a country free from the impact of landmines and ERW, where communities can walk through their land, children can play without fear, and development can take place at its optimal pace.” H.E. Prak Sokhonn, Minister attached to the Prime Minister, Vice- President of the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority
Demining removes the legacy of war, restoring land to rural families
20
21Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Opposite: UNDP supports environmental schemes that preserve productive natural resources as a means of promoting food security and reducing poverty. (UNDP / Arantxa Cedillo)
The ChallengeCambodia’s natural environment is the country’s
most fundamental asset, yet it is also yet one of
its most fragile. About 85 percent of Cambodians
live in rural areas, depending on farming, fishing
and foraging. But population growth, plus
uncertainty over land tenure and access to natural
resources, have put severe strains on natural
resources. Migration is resulting in the expansion
of farmland into marginal areas, over-grazing and
over-cutting of firewood. Land consolidation
and clearing are alienating forest resources from
traditional users, threatening both people’s food
security and many key species. Soil degradation
has been exacerbated by centuries of rice
cultivation and is now compounded by improper
use of chemicals. Cambodia is also vulnerable to
the possible effects of climate change, including
more extreme droughts, floods and storms.
UNDP’s ResponseUNDP supports Cambodia’s efforts to incorporate
sustainability into policies and to help preserve
the global environment by fighting climate
change and desertification, properly managing
chemicals, protecting the ozone layer, and
supporting an integrated approach to biodiversity
conservation of globally significant ecosystems
and promotion of alternative livelihoods. In 2009,
UNDP assisted efforts to predict the impact of
climate change, and to work out how Cambodia
can adapt to it and lessen its effects. It worked
to halt land degradation and supported local
projects to improve the lives of the rural poor and
protect the land. UNDP underpinned Cambodia’s
work in piloting a new international strategy that
promotes production and use of chemicals in
ways that minimize harmful effects and supported
the withdrawal of ozone-damaging chemicals
from use. UNDP promoted participatory land
use planning and environmentally sustainable
livelihoods in the Northern Plains and the Tonle
Sap Lake. Equipment and training for wildlife
monitoring helped to prevent illegal logging,
fishing, hunting and firewood collection.
Key Achievements in 2009 UNDP facilitated a global alliance on climate change between
Cambodia, the EU and EU member states (SIDA and DANIDA), and to build consensus for a programme based approach to enhance aid effectiveness in response to climate change.
Cambodia’s First National Forum on Climate Change raised awareness on the issue, and the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance and Climate Change Trust Fund were established.
A Greenhouse Gas Inventory 2000 set a baseline for measuring emissions by key sectors. A Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment projected impacts under various scenarios.
Research on land degradation indicated that the main human cause is forest degradation and deforestation.
Sound management of chemicals was integrated in the draft National Strategic Development Plan Update (2009-2013).
3.78 tonnes of ozone-depleting gas was recovered; 2,503 cars were retrofitted with air-conditioners using non-depleting gases.
Community projects supported ecotourism, tree planting, alternative energy, sale of carbon credits, and preservation of mangroves and seagrass beds.
Communities in the Northern Plains developed nature tourism, wildlife-friendly rice cultivation, sales of tree resin and incentive payments for protecting nests of endangered birds.
Families in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve used self-help groups to develop alternative livelihoods.
UNDP mobilized resources to promote sustainable forest management in response to the national forestry programme.
Environment and Energy
22 Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Climate change poses many challenges for Cambodia. The potential effects include more frequent floods and droughts, damage to fisheries, loss of water for irrigation, coastal erosion, sea water intrusion and a rise in cases of tropical diseases, with the rural poor likely to be hardest hit. In 2009, UNDP played a key role in facilitating a global alliance on climate change between Cambodia and the EU, and in building consensus for a programme based approach to climate change. The National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) held Cambodia’s First National Forum on Climate Change to raise awareness. The forum produced a Statement of Cooperation which led to the establishment of the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance. As part of the Alliance, UNDP will administer the Climate Change Trust Fund, to which UNDP, the EU, DANIDA and SIDA made initial contributions. A substantial share of the fund will be used to strengthen the NCCC and the Climate Change Department in the Ministry of Environment, which acts as the NCCC secretariat.
UNDP partnered with the Global Environment Facility to support preparation of Cambodia’s Second National Communication to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Key progress was made with the completion of the Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for the year 2000, which provides a baseline for measuring Cambodia’s emissions. The inventory found that the biggest contributors
to emissions in 2000 were land-use change and forestry (49 percent), agriculture (44 percent) and energy (7 percent). Progress was also made on the Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment, which covers trends in historical data, climate change scenarios and a model for generating daily climate data from monthly data. The possible impact on the Tonle Sap Lake was analysed, and a coastal zone analysis looked at the effects on infrastructure of high tides, extreme waves and a rise in sea levels. The assessment included a gender analysis. Bogor Agriculture University in Indonesia and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand provided inputs and methodologies. A delegation from Lao PDR shared lessons learned. A field survey in Prey Veng Province supported an economic analysis of the impact of climate hazards on agriculture. UNDP supported forums for Cambodia to discuss its position paper for presentation at the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP-15) in Copenhagen and supported four members of the Cambodian delegation. It assisted the Ministry of Environment and the Secretariat of the UNFCCC in organizing an international workshop on Agriculture and Land Use Software and supported the integration of climate change responses into national policies. Implementation began of the first project under the 2006 National Adaptation Programme of Action to Climate Change. This project will focus on climate-resilient water management and agricultural practices.
Tree planting in the nearly deforested
Prey Veng Province protects the soil and
provides fuel for cooking,
easing pressure on the land.
(UNDP / Arantxa Cedillo)
“The First National Forum on Climate
Change is a new turning point in the evolution of
Cambodian society. This forum is truly
significant and responds in a timely way to our needs of
sharing information and experiences so
that we can learn positive lessons from
countries in the region.”
H.E. Prime Minister Hun Sen
New alliance positions Cambodia to respond to climate change
23Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Inappropriate use of chemicals in agriculture is a significant threat to human health. The principles of Sound Management of Chemicals have been integrated into national and sectoral policies. (UNDP / Arantxa Cedillo)
Sound use of chemicals lessens threat to environment and healthThe sound management of chemicals is an important aspect of efforts to protect the environment, promote human health and reduce global poverty. The international community in 2006 adopted the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, which aims to ensure that, by 2020, chemicals are produced and used in ways that minimize significant adverse impacts. Cambodia is one of six countries implementing the pilot project on Sound Management of Chemicals, which is led jointly by UNDP and UNEP. Lessons learned will contribute to the international testing and revision of the Draft UNDP Technical Guide for Mainstreaming the Sound Management of Chemicals in Millennium Development Goal-based Policies and Plans and Chemicals Management: The Why and How of Mainstreaming Gender in Chemicals Management.
In 2009, with the support of the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate (Keml) and in partnership with UNEP and the Ministry of Environment, UNDP helped Cambodia to assess its approach to managing chemicals, to identify and address gaps, and to begin incorporating priorities into development planning. A National Situation Report, Action Plan and Roadmap were finalized through the integration of analyses of chemicals management in the agriculture, industry and health sectors. Eleven policy priorities were identified, four of which focused on benefiting the health and welfare of women and children. An Economic Analysis Report was developed based on the Situation Report and additional field surveys. The Economic Analysis of Pesticide Use identified four priority actions, including stronger promotion of alternative farming methods. Sound management of chemicals was integrated into the draft of the National Strategic Development Plan Update (2009-2013), which proposed a unified Law on Chemicals Management. It also proposed that chemical and other hazardous wastes should be managed, monitored and controlled in a sound manner, and that information should be disseminated to encourage sound management throughout the chemicals’ life cycle. One hundred officers of line agencies and local authorities came together to learn about sound management of chemicals, including disposal of chemical wastes.
Local moves support global action on ozone-depleting gasesCambodia is committed to eliminating chlorofluorocarbon gases (CFCs), used mainly in refrigeration and air-conditioners, which damage the protective ozone layer around the earth’s atmosphere. The work of removing CFCs from use and preventing consumption of new CFCs is carried out by the National Ozone Unit in the Ministry of Environment, as part of Cambodia’s efforts under the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer and the Montreal Protocol to the convention. It is supported by UNDP, UNEP and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which helps developing countries to fulfil their commitments under the treaty. Existing CFCs are being withdrawn from use, in particular through an incentive scheme that encourages car owners to retrofit their cars with air-conditioning systems that do not use CFCs. In 2009, 3.78 tonnes of CFC-12 were recovered from car air conditioners, non-CFC systems were retrofitted in 2,503 cars and 41 technicians received refresher training. Another seven garages received equipment for retrofitting and CFC recovery, bringing the number of qualified workshops to 23. The Cambodian Refrigeration Association was established to continue training technicians. Fifty-four officers from the Depart-ment of Public Works and Transportation and the Department of Environment were trained on implementing the Montreal Protocol, and 120 customs officers were trained in work at border checkpoints, including preventing illegal imports of cars with CFC systems.
24 Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Community-level projects that address global is-sues while supporting sustainable development are funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme, which UNDP manages on behalf of the Global Environment Facility. The projects focus on con-serving biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change, preventing land degradation and protecting international waters. The main ben-eficiaries are women and vulnerable indigenous communities, including fishing families and those who depend on harvesting forest resources, such as timber, resin and medicinal plants. The projects are managed through local NGOs or directly by community-based organizations, in close partner-ship with government agencies.
Between July 2008 and December 2009, 15 ongo-ing projects were supported and 13 new projects were granted funds totalling $505,005. Recipi-ents provided co-financing in cash or kind worth from 30 percent to 100 percent of the grant. Two projects focused on conserving Community For-estry Management Areas through participatory land use planning, under which communities agreed to stop expanding their farm land in re-turn for receiving other benefits. In 60,477 ha of Oddar Meanchey Province, 12 communities were enabled to sell carbon credits, directly benefit-ted 4,527 families, or nearly 20,000 individuals. In 2,774 ha of Rattanakiri Province, communities re-ceived an ecotourism licence to sell tickets to four
waterfalls, generating an average of $400 a year for each of the 857 families involved. These com-prised 4,350 people, most of whom belong to the Proav and Kring peoples.
In support of UNEP’s South China Sea region-al Strategic Action Plan, three projects were supported in Kampot and Koh Kong provinces. Illegal fishing was reduced by about 80 percent through community-based monitoring of illegal and devastating fishing, the adoption of a fish-ing ban season and the provision of alternative livelihoods to fishing villages. Marking boundaries of protected areas with poles and installing fish shelters inside the enclosures helped protect 752 ha of sea grass. Mangrove trees were planted in 65 ha of degraded areas, and 6,478 ha of existing mangroves were used sustainably by 2,435 community members. Water quality improved, fishery productivity rose, and households enjoyed an average rise in income of $400 a year. More than 700 members and 34 leaders of community fisheries groups were trained in organizational management and mangrove conservation.
In a project focusing on community-based adap-tation to climate change, eight villages in Takeo Province adopted strategies to improve rice yields. An irrigation system was rebuilt and is expected to boost yields by 30 percent on at least 630 ha of paddy land. Some 7,800 fast-growing local trees were planted on the irrigation earthworks and surrounding areas to fix nitrogen in the soil and add organic matter. The soil enrichment alone is expected to improve yields by 20 percent. More than half the 925 families planted high quality aromatic rice, which should triple their incomes.
Also in Takeo, farmers developed integrated com-mercial farming in an area where the quality of the land is being degraded by sandy runoff from a deforested hill. To counteract the loss of fertil-ity, the farmers tried new techniques including compost-making, drip irrigation and the System of Rice Intensification, a method of transplant-ing rice seedlings that uses fewer seedlings and increases yields. At least 20 farms diversified their production to include poultry, pigs, fish, fruit trees and vegetables, while 15 chicken producer groups and 10 organic rice producer groups were set up, each involving about 10 families.
Solar power provides an alternative energy
source, especially in the Cambodian
countryside, where very few areas are
electrified.(UNDP /
Arantxa Cedillo)
“The EU will assist countries most
vulnerable to climate change,
including Cambodia,
to strengthen institutional
capacity to be better prepared
to the possible consequences of climate change.”
Mr. Rafael Dochao Moreno, Chargé d’Affaires
a.i., Delegation of the European
Commission to Cambodia
Community action promotes sustainable use of local resources
25Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
Land degradation in Cambodia has profound implications for development and poverty reduction. Depleted soils and degraded forests, combined with uncertainty over land tenure and access to natural resources, threaten food security and livelihoods. UNDP and the Global Environ-ment Facility are working with the Government to address these challenges. As a signatory to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, Cambodia is preparing a National Action Programme (NAP), which is founded on a commmitment to sustain-able land management (SLM). This internationally recognized approach promotes the productive use of land and water while preserving biodiver-sity and ecological processes. The NAP will assess the extent and costs of degradation, draw lessons from efforts to improve land tenure and resource access, and establish investment programmes and a policy agenda to integrate SLM into agri- culture and natural resources management.
UNDP is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) to complete the NAP, to support the development of knowledge, skills and institutional capacities for SLM, and to integrate the approach into national and sectoral policies and sub-national and landscape-level planning. In 2009, the UNDP Global Mechanism and the MAFF supported 80 government coun-terparts to understand the approach involved in developing the NAP. Foundational work for the
NAP included the start of a study of the costs of land degradation, which was launched with sup-port from the Global Mechanism and the Stock-holm Environment Institute. A separate analysis indicated that the main human causes of land degradation are forest degradation and defores-tation and inappropriate agricultural practices. Forty examples of best practice in lowland agri-culture, community forestry (flooded forests) and local government initiatives were identified for potential incorporation into the NAP. A guideline was drafted incorporating SLM into the Agro-Eco-system Analysis tool for designing interventions by communes.
Policy recommendations were provided to the Technical Working Group on Agriculture and Water for incorporating SLM into the National Strategic Development Plan Update (2009-2013). To support the integration of the concept into local planning, orientation sessions were conducted for representatives of 18 communes in nine provinces. Training was provided for 691 participants from ministries, provincial departments, commune councils, NGOs and partner projects on topics including the causes of land degradation, strategies for integrating SLM into commune plans, GIS mapping, and effective methods for dissemi- nating best practices. UNDP supported production of outreach materials and co-sponsored activities on World Day to Combat Desertification.
Sustainable Land Management policies aim to preserve and revive the productive capacity of the land, on which 85 percent of Cambodians rely for their livelihoods.(UNDP / Arantxa Cedillo)
Sustainable land management provides key to fighting degradation
26 Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
New livelihoods raise incomes and preserve rare wildlifeThe Northern Plains of Cambodia cover 3,601 sq km of forest, grasslands and seasonal wetlands that are of exceptional global importance for biodiversity conservation. The plains are either the last refuge, or home for a key population, of more than 40 species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Though sparsely settled, the plains are under pressure from the expansion of commercial and subsistence agriculture, illegal logging, land consolidation by powerful interests, professional and opportunistic wildlife hunting, and the collec-tion of bird eggs and chicks. A particular challenge in 2009 was the deployment of several thousand soldiers in the area, entailing the construction of new roads, bases and houses and the proposed creation of land concessions.
UNDP and the Global Environment Facility work in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Environ-ment and the Wildlife Conservation Society to alleviate this pressure and reduce rural poverty. The partners work at the landscape level to inte-grate biodiversity values into land-use planning, focusing on Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary, Preah Vihear Protected Forest and Cherndar, a logging concession under moratorium. Engag-ing with local communities and provincial and district authorities, they promote zonation of land for activities such as agriculture and community use. They also support boundary demarcation of the zones, monitoring of wildlife and forest cover, and community patrolling to complement con-
ventional law enforcement. With their livelihoods underpinned by secure access to resources, in-centive schemes and new sources of income, communities can help to ensure that forests are used sustainably. In 2009, 11 communes incorpo-rated nature tourism, community conservation and natural resource management into their de-velopment plans. Community land-use planning was implemented in four villages and is under way in another eight. Development plans were completed for 11 districts and Preah Vihear prov-ince as a whole, while demarcation of zones was partly completed in both conservation areas. Liai-son with military commanders proved effective in controlling most problems linked to illegal activity by military personnel.
Wildlife-friendly rice, marketed as Ibis Rice, provided a new livelihood option. The rice is bought by agricultural cooperatives from farmers who have adhered to a land-use policy, then sold to inter-national hotels and restaurants. In early 2009, 30 tonnes of rice were bought at a price roughly 25 percent higher than that paid for regular rice by local middlemen. The $2,500 profit was distribut-ed among 38 families (about 165 people). About 100 families benefited from sales of tree resin for paints and varnishes. Under the Bird Nest Protec-tion Scheme, community members were paid to monitor nests and protect chicks until they fledge. This both removes the main risk to threatened species and provides an income for the poorest villagers. The scheme benefited 88 people in 21 villages, and resulted in an increase to 419 nests (producing 719 chicks) of nine key species, up from 219 nests (397 chicks) of eight species in 2005. The critically endangered Giant Ibis had a record year – 41 nests produced 58 chicks, or close to half the global population. The rising numbers of rare birds attracted bird-watchers. In Tmatboey, 99 tourists stayed at the award-winning guest house, generating income of more than $12,000, while Dangphlat developed a successful ‘vulture restaurant’. In Prey Veng village, sites for a hide and a safari camp were chosen, and tents and other equipment were purchased. Officials im-proved their skills in conservation management, law enforcement and GIS data collection. Solar power facilities at the two site headquarters boosted management autonomy and capacity. Training in natural resource management and planning was given to 754 people (428 men/326 women).
Farmers in Tmatboey Village inside Kulen
Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary receive a
premium price for their Ibis Rice, which
is grown without damaging wildlife habitats. Environ-
mentally friendly livelihoods preserve wildlife and reduce
rural poverty.(WCS / Ashish John )
27Environment and Energy - UNDP Annual Report 2009
The Tonle Sap Lake and flood plain, encompass-ing almost 1.4 million ha, is a seasonal breeding, nursery and feeding ground for fish and large wa-ter birds and a last refuge for globally threatened species. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1997, it is threatened by over-exploitation, en-croachment, land clearing and invasion by exotic species. UNDP works to meet these challenges in partnership with the Cambodia National Mekong Committee; the Ministry of Environment; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; the Asian Development Bank; the Global Environment Facil-ity; and UNV volunteers. UNDP focuses on helping communities to develop alternative livelihoods that reduce poverty and lift pressure on natural resources in three core areas – Prek Toal, Boeung Tonle Chhmar and Steung Sen. Other work in-volves developing systems and capacity for man-aging and monitoring biodiversity, and promot-ing awareness and outreach in the community.
In partnership with UNDP-funded initiatives and with the support of Cambodian national UNV vol-unteers, many families formed self-help groups and developed environmentally friendly liveli-hoods. Fish raised in cages supplemented fish caught in the lake, but floating vegetable gardens, mushroom-growing and ecotourism proved more difficult to sustain. The number of Commu-nity Savings Groups expanded from 12 groups with 318 member families to 15 groups with 401 families. Of these, 395 families borrowed money to buy fishing gear or start small businesses, such as processing fish, selling sugar cane juice, grocer-ies or desserts, and raising fish, pigs or chickens. A steering committee was established to monitor, manage and guide the savings group commit-tees. Three community committees for natural resource management and 13 committees for sustainable livelihoods were functioning. Work-shops on the 2008 Protected Area Law, attended by 61 members of local authorities and commune councils (58 men/3 women), explored ways in which local government can support effective law enforcement and help manage conflicts between conservation authorities and resource users. Train-ing on strategies for integrating gender equality into management plans was provided by the ILO. Courses on micro-businesses, such as produc-
ing hand-made hammocks and selling fish and groceries, attracted 108 participants (63 men/45 women). Fifty-one people (19 men/32 women) visited the ecotourism project in Chi Path village in the Cardamom Mountains, while 26 people visited Chamcar Bei in Kep to learn about com-munity development from Bridges Across Borders South East Asia. Some villagers started handicrafts using water hyacinth and recycled plastic bags.
Rangers were enabled to fight illegal activities more effectively by boundary marking and train-ing on how to identify species, read maps, use GPS devices and manage GIS data. Monitoring patrols were conducted for the equivalent of 667 days, allowing accurate counts of important spe-cies. Exchange visits allowed more than 40 rangers to study best practices in the Central Cardamom Protected Forest and the Aural Wildlife Sanctuary. As well, 41 staff and rangers visited Batom Sakor National Park and Peam Krasob to study park management, law enforcement and ecotourism management. The Community Mobile Outreach programme involved 1728 people (1514 men/214 women) in environmental awareness activities. Seven monks attended a workshop on Buddhism and environmental advocacy by the Association of Buddhists for the Environment. The Cambodian Red Cross trained 23 people on first aid topics including drowning and snake bite. Environ- mental education was integrated into the life skills programme in local schools. World and National Environment Day were celebrated at schools in the core areas. Children created their own slogans and picked up litter in school yards.
Fuel-efficient cooking stoves burn less wood, so people living near the Tonle Sap Lake need to cut down fewer trees. The stoves ease pressure on wildlife habitats in conservation areas.(UNDP / Isabelle Lesser)
“We can turn the climate change crisis into a new opportunity for more sustainable develop-ment.” H.E. Dr. Mok Mareth, Senior Minister and Minister of Environment
Lakeside communities work together to protect great natural resource
28
The United Nations Development Programme is the UN’s global development network, an orga-nization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experiences and resourc-es to help people build a better life. It is on the ground in 166 countries, helping them to attract and use aid effectively, and supporting them as they find their own solutions to global and na-tional development challenges. UNDP Cambodia works through partnerships with the Royal Gov-ernment of Cambodia, civil society, community-based organizations, NGOs, private firms, bilateral donors and multilateral aid agencies. Partnerships with SIDA, DFID, the EU, AusAID, CIDA, the Global Environment Facility and AEICD, among many others, were crucial to the results achieved in 2009. UNDP partnered with the Parliament, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Plan-ning, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. It worked with the provincial governors, line departments of national ministries, and the Provincial Executive Commit-tees. UNDP worked closely with the Supreme National Economic Council, the National Elec-
tion Committee, the Cambodia National Mekong Committee, the Cambodian National Petroleum Authority, the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, national station TVK, and the Cambodian Rehabilitation and Development Board of the Council for the Development of Cambodia. It also worked with the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, the Community Legal Education Center, Legal Aid of Cambodia and many other local NGOs.
The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can trans-form the pace and nature of development, and benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and devel-opment by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers. UNV began working in Cambodia in 1992, and since then more than 1200 volunteers have served with almost all UN agencies and many government bodies and NGOs.
In 2009, 35 international and 10 national UNV vol-unteers served in Cambodia across more than 25 sectors, ranging from HIV-AIDS and elections to mine clearance and information and communica-tions technology for education. Nine Cambodian nationals were deployed as international UNV vol-unteers in UN peace-keeping and development missions in Africa and elsewhere in Asia. Between 2007 and 2009, thanks to the UNV Japanese Trust Fund, national UNV volunteers promoted alternative income-generating activities among communities in the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. UNV is an active member of VolCam, a network of volunteer agencies operating in Cambodia. In 2009, UNV Cambodia was the lead agency in creating, together with VolCam, a new interactive website and a booklet for agencies and indivi- duals to search for volunteer service opportunities in Cambodia (www.volcam.org).
Working Together
National UNV volunteers help to
celebrate World Envionment Day on the Tonle Sap Lake,
where they have been working to promote
livelihoods that ease pressure on
ecosystems in the biosphere reserve.
(UNV / Neissan Besharati)
Working Together - UNDP Annual Report 2009
29
Working Together DonorsUNDP (Core funding) 9,202,788.63SIDA / Sweden 7,888,437.89DFID / United Kingdom 6,889,830.96European Union 4,233,123.51AusAID / Australia 4,185,575.10CIDA / Canada 1,332,771.37Global Environment Facility 982,105.53AEICD / Spain 633,737.34Country Co-Financing Cost Sharing
447,164.44
NZAid / New Zealand 444,673.99AFD / France 233,281.48Montreal Protocol 219,779.77Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate (KemI)
177,325.31
UNDP/IFTF Assistance to Least Developed Countries Window II
177,227.00
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
167,436.28
UN Democracy Fund 120,051.73UN Association of the United States 73,980.99Irish Aid / Ireland 59,274.32Norway 50,261.01Oxfam America 38,331.04UNAIDS 7,113.90Total 37,564,271.59
Delivery US$
Poverty Reduction
Democratic Governance
25,476,320.93
2,363,105.00 1,152,508.39
8,572,337.27
Environment and Energy
Other
Expenditure by Thematic Areas 2009
AbbreviationsAEICD Spanish Agency for International
Cooperation for Development
AusAID Australian Agency for International Development
CDC Council for the Development of Cambodia
CIDA Canadian International Development Agency
CMAA Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority
CMAC Cambodian Mine Action Centre
CRDB Cambodia Rehabilitation and Development Board
DFID Department for International Development (UK)
EU European Union
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIS Geographic Information System
GPS Geographical Positioning System
ha hectares
ILO International Labour Organization
NCDD National Committee for Sub-national Democratic Development
NEC National Election Committee
NGO non-governmental organization
NZAid New Zealand Aid
Organic Law Law on Administrative Management of the Capital, Province, Municipality, District and Khan
sq km square kilometres
SNEC Supreme National Economic Council
SIDA Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
Trade SWAp Sector-Wide Approach to Trade
UNV United Nations Volunteers
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
WTO World Trade Organization
Donors, Delivery and Abbreviations - UNDP Annual Report 2009
United Nations Development Programme
No. 53, Pasteur Street, Boeung Keng KangP.O. Box 877, Phnom Penh, CambodiaTel: +855 (0)23 216 167 / 214 371Fax: + 855 (0)23 216 257 / 721 042E-mail: registry.kh@undp.orghttp://www.un.org.kh/undp
UNDP supports the development of a range of industries, such as silk production in Takeo. (UNDP/Arantxa Cedillo)
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